This essay was first shared by Women Writers, Women('s) Books. I'm thrilled to share it here in case you missed it. I appreciate Women Writers, Women('s) Books for sharing my work, along with other authors and writers. Intersection and introspection are my words today. Life and its stories circle, entwine and intersect as I prepare … Continue reading Writing, Legacy, and Things Left Behind
joy and grief
Dede, take a breath
In response to an email I'd sent to my publisher, I received a reply beginning with "Take a breath" followed by a smile emoji. It made me laugh. You who know me well are probably smiling too. Yes, I admit, sometimes I have a tendency to get a bit keyed up in enthusiasm and excitement. … Continue reading Dede, take a breath
First Breath to Last cover and more!
My creativity lends itself well to words. Less so with artwork. I have been pleased with the prior three covers created for my books by my publisher, Bedazzled Ink Publishing. With each book I've written, I know what I want but feel unable to fully put my vision into graphics or images. Yet, I absolutely … Continue reading First Breath to Last cover and more!
Cronehood ahead
Fall has always been my favorite season. The changing of color, my brain still holding long ago explanations of onset of cold and shortening of days messaging chlorophyll’s breakdown. Leaves fall, fall, fall. Days shorten, air cools, rain dumps. I love it all. Fall too prepares me for another birthday. This year, I’m amazed yet … Continue reading Cronehood ahead
Charred dreams, seeds of hope
A few years before COVID struck, Russ and I took Mom on a glorious hike to Memaloose Lake in Clackamas County. It was a hidden treasure, less than two miles of trail, switch-backing through old growth forest, and an understory laden with bunchberry, vanilla leaf, rhododendron and huckleberry enroute to the lake. We felt more … Continue reading Charred dreams, seeds of hope
Grief to joy and back again
July is an anniversary of leaving dates for both a dear friend and of Dad. It too is full of birthdays for many I love, including the baby brother I so badly wanted to be a sister. I didn't intend to blog this weekend; but writing calms and soothes me. Nearly always. In all this … Continue reading Grief to joy and back again
Creating magic in difficult times
While the pandemic brought on sadness and grief, I know there were also moments of joy to be found. I was a fortunate part of the workforce, even if it didn't always feel that way: employees mandated to work at home in the wee hours of COVID's arrival in Oregon. My employer then, a different … Continue reading Creating magic in difficult times
Creating stories: my wild rose
I wasn’t prepared as a newer author for my fictional creations to feel real. This power nearly overwhelms me. Although these few years later I recognize my character Annie in Beyond the Ripples as a bit autobiographical, I saw someone on the bus one morning who I was certain was Amelia. I had to remind … Continue reading Creating stories: my wild rose
Coming full circle
My finest memories of past Mothers' Days, especially as a younger mother, are my breakfasts in bed. Russ did a fine job shepherding our two young daughters through the cooking production followed by an elaborate delivery, while I enjoyed coffee and the Oregonian as I lounged in bed that one day each year. The breakfast … Continue reading Coming full circle
A last bath
I am immersed in the editing of my next memoir, to be released early in 2024. I've been surprised by how much I enjoy the various stages of editing my books. While there is no feeling equal to the initial "can't stop" crafting of its first draft, I find the thoughtful editing stages deeply satisfying. … Continue reading A last bath
Dede's Books and blog 